Final Fantasy VIII

Final Fantasy VIII is the eighth main installment in the Final Fantasy series. Its gameplay departs from many series standards: while it retains the Active Time Battle system, it moves away from the traditional approach of increasing character strength through leveling, though levels are not completely abandoned as they were in Final Fantasy II. It also removes Magic Points for spellcasting. Instead, magic is collected, drawn, and created from items, then used to enhance characters through the junction system.

Final Fantasy VIII is set in a fantasy world with strong science-fiction elements. The story centers on Squall Leonhart, a young SeeD mercenary from Balamb Garden, hired out for dangerous missions. Squall and his friends are drawn into an operation supporting the Forest Owls, a resistance group led by Rinoa Heartilly—an assignment that escalates into a larger conflict against forces commanded by Sorceress Edea.